Over 70 perish as Greece fires spread

WILDFIRES have raged through seaside resorts near the Greek capital, killing at least 74 people and causing tourists to flee, authorities said.

Rescuers battling the blazes, which destroyed homes and forests near Athens, found 26 bodies huddled together at one holiday compound, all believed to be family members. Some of them were hugging.

Many tourists and residents fled towards the coastline to escape the flames and choking smoke.

Authorities evacuated more than 700 people by sea overnight, said government minister Nektarios Santorinios, whose ministry is in charge of the coast guard.

The two largest wildfires – one 20 miles north-east of Athens near Rafina, the other 30 miles west of the capital in Kineta – broke out on Monday during hot, dry summer conditions.

Fanned by gale-force winds that frequently changed direction, the flames spread rapidly into populated seaside towns – too fast for many who were in their cars or homes to flee, fire department spokeswoman Stavroula Malliri said.

Greece’s prime minister Alexis Tsipras has declared a three-day period of national mourning for the victims of the fires.

A Polish woman and her son were among 10 people who drowned when their boat capsized during evacuation from the fires.